Indian spotted eagle

(Photo from Nitins)

Common name:
Indian spotted eagle (en); águia-índia (pt); aigle lancéolé (fr); águila moteada hindú (es); Indischer schreiadler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Falconiformes
Family Accipitridae

Range:
This species is found in northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and possibly also Cambodja.

Size:
These birds are 59-67 cm long and have a wingspan of 154-168 cm. They weigh 1,4-1,8 kg.

Habitat:
Indian spotted eagle are mostly found in open tropical forests, but also in arable land, plantations and wetlands. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.000 m.

Diet:
They hunt several mammals, birds and reptiles, namely oriental garden lizards Calotes versicolor and Indian field mouses Mus booduga.

Breeding:
Indian spotted eagles breed in March-July. They are monogamous and both sexes help build the nest which is usually placed in a coconut tree Cocus nucifera. the female lays a single egg which is incubated by both parents for 25-32 days. The chick is fed by both parents and fledges 9-11 weeks after hatching, but only becomes fully independent some 5 months later.

Conservation:
IUCN status – VU (Vulnerable)
This species has a very large breeding range, but the global population is estimated at just 2.500-10.000 individuals. The population is thought to be in decline at a slow to moderate rate, owing to on-going conversion and disturbance of forested habitats within its range.